Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk is the President and Founder of bbr marketing, a firm that provides marketing strategy and services to professional services firms. By having such a narrow market, she has been able to create a name for herself and her company, and was recently named “One to Watch” by AccountingToday on their Top 100 Most Influential People of 2011. She attributes the awareness and growth of her firm to a number of things, one of the most effective has been making connections with others and actively networking among her peers. She is never hesitant to make introductions to colleagues with the hopes that they will eventually work together, refer business to each other or simply enjoy getting to know each other. She’s even been known to reach out to her competitors, and has made some lasting friendships and alliances because of this strategy. At the end of the day, she feels the good that can be done by connecting people far outweighs any negative impact. And who doesn’t enjoy meeting someone new?

Dolly Evans/Small Business Services

Dolly Evans with Small Business Services has developed three successful businesses over a 20 year period and works with her clients to do the same. All of her endeavors support the owner managed business and its owners by providing planning and affiliated financial and accounting services. She gives back to the community by serving on local Boards of nonprofits, assisting in building a business foundation that allows the mission of the organization to be met and exceeded.

Carmen Westbrook/Naked-Fashion Help

Carmen Westbrook is an Image Consultant and owner of Naked – Fashion Help. In addition to working with men and women to help them improve their overall image through smart wardrobe choices, she’s developed a 45-minute presentation called “Pull Yourself Together!” that she presents to professional women’s groups. She is on the membership committee of the Atlanta Independent Women’s Network and enjoys volunteering at the non-profit, Dress for Success Atlanta.